I would like to publicly recognize and thank Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey for his groundbreaking work of getting Narcan into the hands of first responders and family and friends of users.

Norfolk County is plagued with an alarmingly fast growing population of drug abusers. Attempts to educate children on the dangers of drug use are not working. Every day we lose beautiful, intelligent, talented and dearly loved young people to this deadly disease.

The emphasis on the expedient treatment of addicts who overdose with Narcan is a huge step to addressing the problem. It has already been shown that we can save lives by providing this population with fast treatment and immediate transport.

We lost our beautiful, beloved daughter, Danielle, almost five years ago to this deadly disease. She left behind a 22-month-old son.

Our culture needs to accept the fact that the war on drugs is over and has been for a long time. We need to start treating the casualties. This starts by opening more short- and long-term rehab facilities.

Danielle had just come out of a short-term rehab on a Saturday. She was due to enter a long-term treatment facility on Monday, just one and a half days later.

We took her home reluctantly and she died within 20 hours of discharge.

Our daughter first started counseling at age 15 with D.A.R.E Officer Don Sautter of the Quincy Police Department. When Danielle was working, he frequently stopped by to see how she was doing.

When Danielle died seven years later, his D.A.R.E car lead the procession to the cemetery.

We were proactive parents. We called the police every time we knew when and where there was a party and personally went to the location to retrieve our daughter. We spent countless nights calling hospitals and friends to try and locate her. We told other parents that their children were drugging and drinking.

Danielle willingly took the drugs, yes, she was at fault. We tried to do the right thing and lost the battle but not without doing everything humanly possible to save her. Not a day goes by that I don't think of her and her son, and cry. Our lives have been changed forever.

D.A. Morrissey is a true visionary. Michael's thoughtful, empathetic and progressive thinking is a catalyst for change. The policy making and implementation of Narcan administration by first responders, friends and relatives of addicts in Norfolk County is lifesaving. I applaud you, D.A. Morrissey, for all your hard work to help addicts and their families.